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Damar Hamlin returned for the 2023 season, but this year, he’s truly back in action. On Wednesday, Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott announced that Hamlin will be in the starting lineup for Week 1.
“What else can’t this young man do,” McDermott told reporters. “… It’s one thing to come back off of an ACL or a broken bone. It’s another thing to come back off of what he came back off of, right? Let alone just to decide to play football and contact football, right, and full pads at the NFL level. I don’t think I need to say anything more. I mean, it’s incredible.”
Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday night game on Jan. 2, 2023, against the Cincinnati Bengals. His medical scare captured the nation’s attention as he made a miraculous recovery. Last season, Hamlin remained with the Bills, even appearing in 5 contests for a Buffalo squad that reached the playoffs and won in the Wild Card round.
Returning to the lineup this fall, though, is a big step forward on Hamlin’s journey. He explained why last year was different.
“Last season was primarily just about healing and making myself do the hard stuff, thrusting myself into things that were uncomfortable, that made me fearful or gave me anxiety,” Hamlin said, per ESPN.
A former Pitt standout, Hamlin is entering Year 4 of his NFL career. Over 34 career games, he has recorded 95 total tackles, including 67 solo stops with 4 passes defended. It was his Year 2, the 2022 season that got cut short by his dramatic medical event, when Hamlin posted the bulk of his career production: 91 tackles (63 solo), 2 passes defended and 1.5 sacks in 15 games.
The Bills hope Hamlin is ready to return to being the stud safety he was before the incident.
“The opportunity that was there, he took advantage of it and was consistent, built a certain level of rapport with (fellow safety Taylor Rapp) and that’s important as well at the safety position,” McDermott said. “So, watching those two communicate and so anxious to watch both of them play this weekend.”
The Bills open the season on Sunday against Arizona.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
